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Commission grants demo‑delay waivers at 45 Grand Street for remaining windows and 11 doors
Summary
Beacon Communities won approval to replace the last 10% of windows with aluminum‑clad simulated‑divide‑light units and to change 11 exterior doors from wood to aluminum with conditions on rooftop door designs.
The Worcester Historical Commission granted a building demo‑delay waiver on May 8 allowing Beacon Communities to replace the remaining approximately 10% of windows at 45 Grand Street with wood, aluminum‑clad, double‑hung windows having simulated divided lights, and separately approved replacing 11 exterior doors with aluminum doors that match existing style and dimensions, with conditions for prior review of rooftop door designs.
Kevin Jordan, representing Beacon Communities, told the commission the property’s 2015 rehabilitation covered roughly 90–95% of windows and doors and that the remaining original doors and windows are in “really bad shape.” He said aluminum doors and aluminum‑clad windows would be painted to match the previously approved green and that aluminum was selected to better withstand heavy wear from move‑ins and move‑outs.
Commissioners pressed on salvageability for a few rooftop doors and asked the applicant to attempt to retain original elements where feasible. Jordan said some rooftop doors are “completely rotted” at the bottom, that the pictures do not fully convey the condition, and that salvaging the glass panels might be possible even if the bottom sections cannot be repaired.
Michelle Johnstone, city staff, clarified that the property received federal historic tax credits tied to National Park Service approvals and that some earlier preservation decisions limited changes for a period; she explained the tax‑credit conditions and the requirement for National Park Service review if changes would conflict with previously approved treatments.
The commission voted to approve the window replacement waiver with a finding that the replacements “would not be detrimental to the historical or architectural resources of the city of Worcester.” Later, the commission approved the door replacements for 11 doors, with one commissioner recorded as opposing the doors motion and the commission requiring that images for the rooftop doors be provided to staff (Michelle) before ordering.
Jordan agreed to submit final door manufacturer drawings for the rooftop locations for staff review before fabrication.
The commission closed public comment with no outside speakers on record.
